Some NROTC questions

Quinn123

5-Year Member
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Oct 7, 2012
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Hi. I have some questions regarding the NROTC program and the kind of life a student in the program could expect to live. My questions are:
1. Would it be possible to study abroad?
2. Would I have some of my weekends free?
3. Would it be possible to balance NROTC with engineering and possibly a club sport?
4. Are student clubs an option or is all free time taken up?
5.How much extra studying and class time would it require?
6. Are there extra rules/ regulations/ responsibilities that would completley interfere with a semi- regular college experience?
7. Would it prevent internships or co-ops? (not necessarily to explore careers but more or less to explore interests and gain some extra experience)
8. If i decided to go to graduate school or enter another career after service, would NROTC and a officer position in the navy be looked highly upon by admissions/employers?

Thanks for your time.
 
Hi. I have some questions regarding the NROTC program and the kind of life a student in the program could expect to live. My questions are:
1. Would it be possible to study abroad?
Yes.
2. Would I have some of my weekends free?
Most. You will have some training weekends... maybe one a semester. You will undoubtedly be cleaning up the football stadium 07:00 Sunday after home games. If you join Drill Team or other NROTC orgs there may be other weekend activities you'll be committing to. There is also Navy/Marine Ball in the Fall and Mess Night in the spring.
3. Would it be possible to balance NROTC with engineering and possibly a club sport?
Yes. But you better be a master of time management if you intend to do all three.
4. Are student clubs an option or is all free time taken up?
Clubs are definitely an option. My DS is a member of a ballroom dancing club in addition to 2 optional NROTC clubs. Still has time for studies, chilling with his friends, and a girlfriend. Not so much for Mom and Dad though. :smile:
5.How much extra studying and class time would it require?
Depends on how you count. If you think of the Naval Science class as one of your electives then probably another 6 - 9 hours a week for PT, lab, leadership responsibilities, uniform maintenance, etc. COuld be more than that if you get involved in other things.
6. Are there extra rules/ regulations/ responsibilities that would completley interfere with a semi- regular college experience?
Depends on what you consider a regular college experience. You won't be drinking alcohol. You won't be doing drugs. You won't be doing anything that reflects poorly on the Navy. You will not miss any classes without prior permission or substantial reason in an emergency. You'll be turning in early to get up for PT at 0'dark:30.
7. Would it prevent internships or co-ops? (not necessarily to explore careers but more or less to explore interests and gain some extra experience)
Depends on the time commitment but most likely yes it will prevent them during the summer. If you are on scholarship or contracted you will have training during the summer. 4 weeks rising sophomore year. Not sure about the other summers but it could be up to 6 weeks. It's probably difficult to work an internship or coop around that.
8. If i decided to go to graduate school or enter another career after service, would NROTC and a officer position in the navy be looked highly upon by admissions/employers?
Well, being an officer certainly demonstrates leadership, discipline, and determination so I would definitely think so. Most companies I know scarf up any former officer when they're available.
 
1. Yes, but you must be doing well academically.
2. Yes, most of them during school.
3. Yes, some mids play D1 sports while studying ENG.
4. Yes.
5. Approximately one and a half classes a semester.
6. Not if you're mature.
7. No, but NROTC takes priority.
8. Definitely.
 
I'll agree with pretty much all Kinnem said but wanted to expand on #7. This may depend on the college and the unit (actually of course it will!), but my son (now a sophomore) was able to do a 2 month internship this summer (with the NNSA in Vegas) along with his 4 weeks in San Diego. Next summer he's been told (as a rising junior) that if he gets an internship that they approve (ie. something useful not just washing test tubes at his college) that he would not be required to do summer training that summer. The following summer (firstie cruise) is mandatory and he would have to work an internship around it like he did this summer. But in his unit at least, it's definitely doable.
 
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